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The warm weather and sunshine in California after coming from the blustery early-spring snow storm in Illinois is amazingly refreshing. I couldn't put my finger on what made it so nice to just be outside until I realized I was surrounded by flowers and trees and color. It took me a minute to catch on but once I did, I wanted to soak it all in.

Warm and beautiful weather always makes me crave salads. As I was scouring Sacramento for rental places (now moving closely to the top of "things Erin hates to do list"), I popped into the food co-op to grav something for lunch. I went in with no plan and this salad is what manifested itself as I walked through the produce section.
I even had avocados in my basket and ended up trading them in for the beets. Strange, maybe, but I've been craving beets lately. I've also been on a rather large blue cheese kick as of late and I have to say, lemon + blue cheese= magic.

I think this salad would be lovely with any grain. The bulk bin section as the co-op was a bit busy when I stopped by and originally I was headed for quinoa but landed on the orzo instead.

This salad is fairly quick to throw together and roasting the veggies/making the orzo can be done ahead of time.